Jumbo Box of Storybook Classics (Scholastic Video Collection)
by Gary Goldberger (II)
from New Video Group
Scholastic videos let big folks rest their reading glasses by adapting Caldecott-winning and other worthy kids books to the small screen, with consistently impressive results. The six DVDs in the Jumbo Box of Storybook Classics apply catchy music and skillful animation to 35 stories, including Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, Crockett Johnson's Harold stories, William Steig's Pete's a Pizza, Kevin Henkes's Chrysanthemum, James Marshall's Miss Nelson Has a Field Day and Miss Nelson Is Back, Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha's Trashy Town. The Scholastic DVDs double the running time of their VHS counterparts with bonus stories as well as interviews, read-alongs, and English subtitles.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE...and other Marucie Sendak Stories: Includes WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, THE NUTSHELL KIDS (with stories ALLIGATORS ALL AROUND, PIERRE, ONE WAS JOHHNY, and CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE) and IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN.
CHRYSANTHEMUM...and mo
Pete's a Pizza... and More William Steig Stories (Scholastic Video Collection)
by Gary Goldberger (II)
from New Video Group
The excellent Scholastic Video Collection spotlights the author of Shrek, William Steig. The title story is one of his warmest and most uncharacteristic--a simple story about how parents find a fun activity for their bored son by imagining him as a pizza. The other stories, "Doctor De Soto" and "The Amazing Bone," have more typical Steig bite; the former (an Oscar® nominee) is about a mouse-dentist who takes on a risky patient, while the latter tells of Pearl the Pig who finds a talking bone. All three stories are wonderfully illustrated, and Chevy Chase ("Pizza") and John Lithgow ("Bone") supply pitch-perfect narration. As with all the DVDs in this collection, the added content doubles the running time. Three additional stories keep the rambunctious air that made Steig (like Roald Dahl) so popular with kids and adults, although sensitive kids and parents might find the perilous situations unfunny. Tomi Ungerer's "The Three Robbers" and "Moon Man" bookend Margaret Mahy's "The Great White Man-Eating Shark," which follows a boy who pretends to be a shark and scares beachgoers. All in all, another winner for kids ages 4 and older. --Doug Thomas
PETE'S A PIZZA: (Narrated by Chevy Chase, Music by Raul Malo) When Pete is in a bad mood, his parents cheer him up by making a pizza with a very special ingredient -- Pete!
DOCTOR DE SOTO: (Music composed by Ernest V. Troost) Doctor De Soto, everyone's favorite mouse-dentist, helps a fox with a sore tooth. The fox has a mouth-watering scheme to eat him after the job is done. But Dr. De Soto has a plan of his own.
THE AMAZING BONE: (Narrated by John Lithgow) Pearl befriends a talking bone she finds in the woods. A hungry fox captures them and brings them to his home. How will they escape?
(All stories written and illustrated by William Steig)
DVD Features: The Three Robbers; Moon Man; Great White Man-Eating Shark; Getting To Know William Steig; Read Along; Interactive Menus; Story Selection
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers... and More Inspiring Tales (Scholastic Video Collection)
by Michael Sporn
from New Video Group
Inspired by the true story of Philippe Petit the young French aerialist and his daring 1974 high wire walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.System Requirements:Running Time: 60 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 767685979235 Manufacturer No: NVG-9792
The Marzipan Pig / Jazztime Tale
by Michael Sporn
from FIRST RUN FEATURES
THE MARZIPAN PIG
BASED ON THE AWARD-WINNING BOOK BY RUSSELL HOBAN
Narrated by Tim Curry
A marzipan pig falls behind a sofa and is lost. In his loneliness, the pig's feelings of love reach out, in a strange chain of events, to an owl, a mouse, and a hibiscus flower. The pig is eaten by the mouse, but passes love on to other generations of living creatures.
WINNER - Silver Apple, National Educational Film and Video Festival
JAZZTIME TALE
Narrated by Ruby Dee
In Harlem in 1919, two girls - one white, one black - form a lifelong friendship through a chance encounter... and the jazztime music of young "Fats" Waller.
WINNER - Blue Ribbon, American Film and Video Festival
WINNER - Gold Apple, National Educational Film and Video Festival
The Films of Michael Sporn Volume 1 (Whitewash/Champagne)
by Michael Sporn
from FIRST RUN FEATURES
Inspired by actual events, WHITEWASH conveys a powerful message that transcends age and race, told in an entertaining way perfect for children of all ages. WHITEWASH features the voices of Linda Lavin and Ruby Dee, who was nominated for an EMMY for this performance.
When the young black girl Helene Angel is attacked by a street gang and painted white on her way home from school, the effects on Helene and her family are devastating. Helene locks herself in her room, her brother blames himself for not having successfully defended his sister, and Helene's small family is disrupted when the media descends on their neighborhood. In spite of this horrible event, an outpouring of love and understanding from friends, classmates, and family helps Helene accept what has happened and draws the community together.
CHAMPAGNE is the true story of a young teenage girl named Champagne whose mother is incarcerated for murder. Living in a catholic children's home run by nuns, Champagne provides poignant commentary about her mother, her own situation, and her outlook for the future. Starring the voice of the real life Champagne, this award-winning film shows how hope can spring forth even in the most challenging of times.
CHAMPAGNE has won multiple awards including the Carnegie Medal for Best Children's Program, Chicago International Children's Film Festival; Best Animated Film, New England Children's Film Festival; Best Long Form Animation, Worldfest Charleston; Gold Award, CINE Golden Eagle, and 2 CableACE Nominations including Best Animated Program.
The Films of Michael Sporn Volume 2 (The Hunting of the Snark/The Talking Eggs)
by Michael Sporn
from FIRST RUN FEATURES
Winner of 10 Awards including Best Animated Film & Best Family Film at the USA Film Festival and Chicago International Children's Film Festival, THE TALKING EGGS is a richly textured animated fable that encourages children to find their untapped potential and to pursue their dreams. When a young girl named Selina befriends a mysterious elderly woman, she unleashes a series of magical events--not the least of which is three talking eggs. When Selena's selfish brother Wade gets involved, he's in for some surprises too--of a very different kind!
Enter the imaginative world of Lewis Carroll in these animated adaptations of the author's classic Nonsense Poems, THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK, where a high-masted ship sets sail to roam the seas looking for a Snark. In this colorful adventure, the Butcher pursues the Beaver; the Broker takes count, while the Barrister preserves order; the Bellman leads them over the edge; and the Baker...the Baker finds the Snark!
The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (The Red Shoes / The Little Match Girl)
by Michael Sporn
from First Run Features
THE RED SHOES Set in present day, this classic Andersen tale is about a young African-American girl who learns the value of friendship with help from a pair of magic slippers. Starring the voice of Ossie Davis. Winner of a Parents Choice Award; a Cine Golden Eagle; a Blue Ribbon at the American Film & Video Festival; and a Bronze Apple at the National Education Film & Video Festival. THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL The Hans Christian Andersen classic is given present-day relevance and an upbeat ending in this story of Angela, a homeless child who sells match sticks to survive. Starring the voice of Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham. Winner of a Parents Choice Award; a Silver Apple at the National Educational Film & Video Festival; and a Silver Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival. DVD Bonus Features:Making of Documentary • Art Gallery • Animatics • Commentary Tracks by Director Michael Sporn • Michael Sporn Biography. 50 minutes + bonus materials
Scholastic Video Collection Super Set #1 (Amazon.com Exclusive)
by Gary Goldberger (II)
from NEW VIDEO GROUP
Scholastic videos let big folks rest their reading glasses by adapting Caldecott-winning and other worthy kids' books to the small screen, with consistently impressive results. The 11 DVDs in the Scholastic Video Collection Super Set apply catchy music and skillful animation to 65 stories, including beloved children's classics such as Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, Crockett Johnson's Harold stories, and Ezra Jack Keats's stories, as well as newer favorites such as William Steig's Pete's a Pizza, Kevin Henkes's Chrysanthemum, and Peggy Rathmann's Good Night, Gorilla. The Scholastic DVDs double the running time of their VHS counterparts with bonus stories as well as interviews, read-alongs, and English subtitles.
The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (The Emperor's New Clothes / Nightingale)
by Michael Sporn
from First Run Features
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES An engaging adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale about a vain emperor whose foolishness is exposed to everyone by an innocent child. Starring the voice of Regis Philbin. Winner of an Honorable Mention, American Film & Video Festival. NIGHTINGALE Captivated by its sweet song, an emperor takes a nightingale into his palace as his companion. But when the emperor shows more interest in a bejeweled mechanical bird, the nightingale flees. It returns only when the lonely emperor sees how foolishly he has behaved. Winner of the Cine Golden Eagle Award.DVD Bonus Features:Making of Documentary • Art Gallery • Animatics • Commentary Tracks by Director Michael Sporn • Michael Sporn Biography. 50 minutes + bonus materials
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